Minister's Update - April 2018

Yesterday was ANZAC Day and I hope you took the opportunity to join our communities to remember and honour our New Zealand officers and soldiers who served our country.

After the First World War, a dawn ceremony became a common form of ANZAC Day remembrance as returned soldiers sought the comradeship they felt in those quiet, peaceful moments before dawn.

I would like to acknowledge our ethnic communities’ contributions to the war effort, including those from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East who fought as part of the wider British Empire. Indian troops, in particular, fought alongside New Zealanders and contributed the largest number of men with approximately 1.5 million recruited during the wars.

Though we are from diverse backgrounds whose politics, beliefs, and aspirations may be different, we all share a genuine sorrow at the loss of so many lives in wars over the years.

I joined veterans and members of the public at a dawn service in South Auckland to acknowledge and honour the courage and sacrifice of all those who served our nation at Gallipoli and in subsequent conflicts. Lest we forget.

As April comes to an end and May approaches, we continue to celebrate our ethnic communities, as well as ensure New Zealand is recognised as one of the most tolerant and welcoming countries in the world.

Hon Jenny Salesa is New Zealand’s first Tongan born, Tongan speaking Member of Parliament and the first Tongan born Cabinet Minister of the Crown. She is the local Member of Parliament for Manukau East, and has a particular interest in housing, education, health, skills and training.